Now and then, an interesting HR-related webcast comes across my desk and it dawned on me recently to ask my colleagues to watch the programs with me. As such, you are invited to join me at the following dates/times. The webcasts are free; RSVPs’ are not required; be sure to check with your supervisor for coverage issues.

It’s not my intent to turn these into formal training sessions, per se; it’s more of an opportunity to listen and react to the content. You’ll probably see similar invitations in the future as interesting webcasts are advertised.

Employee Performance Management: The Heart of Talent Management
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST
4G41 Ellis Library
Sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management

Description: Companies often look at the elements of talent management — including compensation management, succession planning, and learning and development — as independent concerns. In fact, all of these objectives are elements of employee performance management. In this program, Michael DeVries, SPHR, will provide insight and case studies on how companies have used performance management as the linchpin to their successful talent management initiatives.
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From Employee Feedback to Actions for Manager Development
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009,
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CST
4G41 Ellis Library
Sponsored by Human Capital Institute

Description: Learn how IBM was inspired to create its Manager Feedback Program. In 2004, IBMers around the globe were communicating, collaborating and kicking around ideas for improving IBM. It was WorldJam2004 and nearly 60,000 IBMers were jamming. Through this high-profile event, the single, most highly rated idea across IBM was to introduce a way for employees to provide feedback and insight about their manager’s effectiveness. WorldJam2004’s most highly rated idea, was then launched in 2005 giving employees a systematic, consistent way for employees to provide constructive insights and giving managers recommended actions for improvement.

Components of this unique program include: IBM’s Manager Feedback Program Form: A structured survey program, where employees provide quantitative and qualitative feedback about their manager’s effectiveness; Manager Feedback Program Report: How managers receive insights into their people management strengths/weaknesses and Manager Feedback Program Development Guide: Provides an array of learning resources to improve people management skills and leadership capabilities.
IBM will share lessons learned in running this grand-scale global program, now in its fifth year and reaching 394,000 IBMers and generating reports to 48,000 IBM managers. Listen in to learn how IBM is turning employee feedback into action for the development of their people managers.

*Library Information Assistant; 100% FTE. $9.05/hr. min. Work 40 hours/week at Health Sciences Library, Circulation Department. Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Duties: Provide customer assistance for the Circulation Desk/Copy Services. Close the library nightly and open it on Saturdays. Functionally supervise student workers. Perform shelving, shifting, shelf-reading, stack maintenance, and upkeep of public and circulation areas. Monitor electronic reserve pages and request copyright permissions. Retrieve and scan articles to fill patron requests.

Duties require the ability to perform alphanumeric sequencing of books and serials and data entry of bar codes into MERLIN, to perform basic math computations and to work with minimal direct supervision and meet speed and accuracy goals as determined by the department. Must be able to move both partially loaded book trucks (60 – 100 lbs.) and fully loaded book trucks (at least 200 lbs.). Must be able to use ladders and footstools in the stacks. Must be able to read call numbers on tall shelves and on the lower shelves where there is diminished lighting. Must be able to be on one’s feet for long periods of time. Must be able to move large numbers of journals and books during stack shifts.

Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired is necessary.
Six months of responsible office experience is necessary. Directly related education or training may be substituted for experience.
The ability to type may be necessary depending upon the position available – 40 wpm required.

Preferred Qualifications: Must have good communication skills and work well with the public. Typing and computer skills required. Must be self motivated. Experience with MERLIN, word processing and Internet desirable.